BERT LILLYWHITE

Denton to Berwick Easter Ramble & Picnic

By Mark Tovey

In reference to Bert Lillywhite's tradition of organising the Easter Good Friday walk from Denton to Berwick - see Terry Howard and Vicky Delaney's comments here:-

 Newhaven Ramblers page

My Uncle, Edwin Warnes, recently told me about these walks. Below are photos from the late 1940s [at a guess, 1947-48] which must be from one of the very early years that this tradition started. The pub in the photos is the Rose Cottage Inn, near Alciston. I've identified the few faces I know but if anyone can name anyone else, please let me know. Unfortunately in the large group photo it's a bit hard to make out most faces. For those that didn't know him, Bert was a coalman in Newhaven for many years and therefore, a familiar face to many.

Photo:L-R: unknown, Marcia Stapley, Edwin Warnes, Bert Lillywhite, others unknown. Taken at the Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, late 1940s

L-R: unknown, Marcia Stapley, Edwin Warnes, Bert Lillywhite, others unknown. Taken at the Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, late 1940s

Photo:Marcia Stapley & Edwin Warnes. I thought the 3rd person was Marcia & Edwin's sister, Honor, but she says it's not her. Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, late 1940s

Marcia Stapley & Edwin Warnes. I thought the 3rd person was Marcia & Edwin's sister, Honor, but she says it's not her. Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, late 1940s

Photo:Marcia Stapley [4th from left], Edwin Warnes [5th], others unknown

Marcia Stapley [4th from left], Edwin Warnes [5th], others unknown

Photo:Marcia Stapley & Bert Lillywhite in centre, others unknown

Marcia Stapley & Bert Lillywhite in centre, others unknown

Photo:Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, late 1940s. Did ALL these people go on Bert's Easter Walk the day this was taken?

Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston, late 1940s. Did ALL these people go on Bert's Easter Walk the day this was taken?

This page was added by Mark Tovey on 13/07/2019.
Comments about this page

I went on a few of these in the mid 60's. We always walked there over the fields and then back via Seaford. I'm sure that I couldn't do it now. Hundreds took part.

By Ron Herriott
On 13/07/2019

Hi Mark, the '3rd' person in the photo you refer to and who also appears in several other of the photo's is my Mum, Maureen Duchossoy nee Smith, she often talks about the Easter walks to Alciston with Bert and how much she enjoyed them and the skipping.

By Andre Duchossoy
On 23/08/2019

Hi Andre, thanks for identifying your Mum in the photos. It seems like these Easter walks were a much enjoyed event - and well attended too! Regards, Mark

By Mark Tovey
On 25/08/2019

I have only a few very old photos of my Grandmother's family (from Newhaven) but the lady far right of top photo and left background of 5th photo bears a striking resemblance to her sister - Annie Laura 'Nan' Blann, d.1957 spinster. Any chances it might be her?  

By Irene Taylor
On 25/03/2020

What fantastic memories that has brought back to my sisters and l, as only this morning we were only talking about it.

Bert or Mr Lillywhite as we had to call him was a fantastic guy and walking to the Rose Inn for our annual skipping was one of the highlights of our year, we picked bluebells in the woods on the way, to give our mum but was promptly told off by her for doing so, but why we were never told. Great times so thanks for the memory.

By Jean South
On 10/04/2020

Wonderful memories of myself and mate Dave Farley back in the '50s "cheating" the Good Friday Walk and cycling over the route instead. Maureen and Jacques Duchossoy were neighbours at the time.

Test your memories of the 1950's a bit more Terry.. wonder if you still have that bronze medal (3rd place) we won in the Darts doubles tournament at the Newhaven Boys Club!!

John (Hills) Editor

By Terry Harris
On 02/04/2021

Picture one.

I think the lady sitting 4th from the right is Elsie White who lived along St Luke’s Lane. She was my grandmothers sister. 

Picture Three.

The young woman sitting 4th from right I Think is Rosemary White Who is the daughter of the lady mentioned above.

I remember going on the Berwick walks as a young kid with several members of my mums family who were The Simmons family who lived in the house called Riverside.

By Carole Knott (Wilkinson)
On 03/04/2021
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